The Indiana Pacers are an interesting case. They had all the pieces required to make it at least to the second round of the playoffs. They had an All-Star in Domantas Sabonis, a defensive stalwart in Myles Turner, and great guards in Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon, and TJ Warren. Despite this, the Pacers never even made the playoffs. This marked just the second time in 11 seasons that the franchise did not qualify for the postseason.
It was later on revealed (rumors throughout the season also gave hints) that their coach Nate Bjorkgren had some off-court issues, particularly his handling of his players and staff which trickled onto their on-court performance. The Pacers immediately acted on it by firing Bjorkgren and moved on. The stars seemed to align for the Pacers as Rick Carlisle, their coach in the early-mid 2000s, resigned from Dallas. They quickly hired Carlisle as their new head coach.
Hiring Carlisle is definitely the best thing that has happened so far. But now what? Are the Pacers good enough to make it to the playoffs with a championship coach in the fold? From the looks of it, trading for a star player isn't a necessary move for the Pacers. They already have solid set of players.
However, looking at the dire situation between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pacers should think about the possibility of luring in the guard. Once Lillard requests a trade, then the Pacers should join the bandwagon and arrange a deal. Here's the perfect trade package which the Pacers must offer for Damian Lillard.
Damian Lillard for TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, 2021 First Round Pick, 2022 Second Round Pick, 2023 First Round Pick
Warren and Brogdon are very good guards. Both of them can easily drop 15 to 20 points per game, utilizing their polished offensive arsenal which consists of jump shots and strong drives to the hoop. Brogdon, who some forget was the 2017 Rookie of the Year, has developed into an amazing playmaker. Last season, he averaged 5.9 assists per game (though it's a bit of a slide from his 7.1 average in the previous season).
For all the things they bring to the floor, however, there are lingering questions if they have or can develop that star quality that's imperative in every championship team. Basketball is a team game and so having a set of reliable players is a must. But history tells us that those who have won it all have a star player (or two) which gives them that extra boost. This is where Damian Lillard can enter.
Lillard's supermax contract will take effect next season. He signed it two years ago but a lot has happened to the Trail Blazers since then, which includes two consecutive first-round exits. This inevitably created a slew of rumors and predictions that Lillard might request a trade. If this happens, then a list of preferred destinations will follow. The list will include teams who are just inches away from winning the title. Fans will be surprised to see if the Pacers will be part of that shortlist. But a close examination of the Pacers' roster might just make Lillard think.
As for one, they have two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis in the fold. The man is just an absolute offensive beast. It's difficult to believe that he stands 6-foot-11 and weighs 240 lbs but possesses the mobility of a guard. In today's NBA, there are a lot of players who have this combination. However, not everyone has the brute strength that Sabonis has. Pacers fans are well aware of how Sabonis just bullies his way to the hoop. In addition to this, Sabonis is also a terrific passer — much like his dad Arvydas Sabonis, who actually played for seven seasons in Portland. The younger Sabonis averaged 6.7 assists last season, which is remarkably high for a player who plays the power forward/center position.
A look at Sabonis' highlight reel reveals he gets his assists through screen hand-offs and when his speedy guards cut to the hoop. Sabonis is very comfortable threading the needle which his bounce passes. It would be easy to imagine Sabonis handing the ball off to Lillard who follows it up with a 3-point bomb. Lillard is also a master of off-ball movement, which again perfectly meshes well with Sabonis' inherent court vision.
However, the ultimate selling point that would make Lillard drool is the presence of Myles Turner — a defensive stopper of the highest order but has not gained much recognition. The man has led the league in blocks twice (2019 and 2021) but has never been selected into the All-Defensive Teams. This is what's been missing in Lillard's teams for most of his career. The Trail Blazers have done well in the regular season. They falter in the postseason simply because the team never had that one player who can block or intimidate shots. Not to mention that defense isn't really the forte of Terry Stotts.
The Pacers sure are giving up their key guys in exchange for Lillard. However, they still have the ultimate core group in Sabonis, Turner, and LeVert. Carlisle, a championship-winning coach, will know how to utilize these players and maximize their skills. A star player like Lillard can immediately transform the Pacers into a championship team from an underachieving squad.
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